Partial I (T1–T3)
After Getting started and Foundations: Partial I prep with interactive exam.
Study path
What is a study path
Section titled “What is a study path”A study path is not browsing the site at random or doing every tutorial without context. It is the recommended order of the Microcontrollers course (UNEXPO · Mechatronics): understand the concept, apply it with a tutorial, then prepare for the partial exam.
The flow has clear phases:
- Getting started — microcontroller concepts, what the PIC18F4550 is, and comparison with other platforms.
- Foundations — architecture, registers, assembly, and your first program: MPLAB, ports guide, and First LED tutorial.
- Course — peripherals with guides and UNEXPO labs interleaved where they belong.
- Partials — review and interactive exam right after the covered topics.
Tutorials on the path
Section titled “Tutorials on the path”AprendePIC18 is an open-source platform by zackness, maintained by StartupVen within the CALETAS ecosystem. Read more about who builds the site and what interactive tutorials mean in CALETAS ecosystem and StartupVen.
Your progress
Section titled “Your progress”Check each lesson or let it auto-check when you finish guides, tutorial checklists, or exams.
PIC18F4550 School
PIC18F4550 Study Path
Follow the UNEXPO course order: Getting started → Foundations → theory with interleaved tutorials. One progress bar for classes, guides, and labs.
5 phases
52 lessons
~59 h estimated
0% completed
Method per block: theory → practical guide (if any) → lab → partial exam
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1 Topic 1 — PIC18F4550 concepts
What a microcontroller is, differences from Arduino/ESP32, and PIC18F4550 overview.
Reference material: Tema 1. Conceptos Básicos (1).pdf
What you will learn- Distinguish microcontroller from microprocessor
- Classify ROM, Flash, RAM, and EEPROM memories
- Tell internal peripherals from external ones
- Describe PIC18F4550 internal blocks
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2 Topics 2 and 3 — Architecture, registers, and bits
Harvard architecture, Flash/RAM/EEPROM, SFR/GPR registers, banks, and bit/hex operations.
Reference material: Clase Tema 2 y 3 (1).pdf
What you will learn- Explain PIC18 Harvard architecture
- Identify SFR, GPR, and memory banks
- Use masks and hexadecimal in code
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3 Topics 2 and 3 — Assembly and first program
Assembly language, config bits, MPLAB/Proteus tools, and your first .ASM that turns on an LED.
Reference material: instrucciones pic.pdf · Clase Tema 2 y 3 (1).pdf
What you will learn- Read and write basic .ASM programs
- Set up MPLAB and simulate in Proteus
- Turn on an LED using TRIS and LAT (First LED)
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4 Partial 1 Partial I preparation (Topics 1, 2, and 3)
Review concepts, architecture, registers, and assembly. Take the interactive Partial I exam.
Reference material: Tema 1. Conceptos Básicos (1).pdf · Clase Tema 2 y 3 (1).pdf
What you will learn- Explain Harvard architecture without notes
- Describe WREG, STATUS, and BSR roles
- Pass the interactive Partial I exam
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5 Software delays
Machine cycles, nested loops, CM × Σ CI math, NOP, and BRA vs GOTO.
Reference material: Clase Tema 4 y 5.pdf
What you will learn- Calculate CM and delay with CM × Σ CI
- Implement 1-, 2-, and 3-loop delays
- Solve the partial exam 3 ms delay @ 20 MHz
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6 GPIO — TRIS, PORT, and LAT
Digital ports, inputs, outputs, buttons, and debounce for partial exam problems.
What you will learn- Explain PORT vs LAT difference
- Configure inputs with internal pull-up
- Implement basic debounce
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7 Register comparisons
MOVF vs SUBWF, C and Z flags, zero compare, greater/less, and partial-style subroutines.
Reference material: Clase Tema 4 y 5.pdf
What you will learn- Compare register to zero using Z
- Implement equal, less, and greater with SUBWF
- Solve REG1 > REG2 and C/Z table exercises
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8 Practice 1 — Math operations
Official lab for ALU operations in assembly per course Practice 1.
Reference material: Practica 1 Operacion matematia.pdf
What you will learn- Implement add, subtract, and logic ops in .ASM
- Build schematic in Proteus and hardware
- Orally explain the lab code
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9 Partial 2 Partial II preparation
Review delays, comparisons, GPIO, and Practice 1. Take the interactive exam at real partial level.
Reference material: Clase Tema 4 y 5.pdf · Practica 1 Operacion matematia.pdf
What you will learn- Calculate ms delays with 20 MHz crystal
- Complete comparison subroutines and C/Z table
- Solve GPIO problems (pump, robot, display)
- Pass the interactive Partial II exam
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10 Topic 6 — Interrupts
Interrupt sources, INTCON, priorities, ISR, and best practices (save context).
Reference material: Clase Tema 6. Interrupciones.pdf
What you will learn- List PIC18F4550 interrupt sources
- Write a correct ISR
- Clear flags before RETFIE
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11 Topic 7 — LCD and matrix keyboard
HD44780 LCD module, matrix keyboard, and lab Practice 2.
Reference material: Clase Tema 7.1 Modulo LCD y 7.2 Teclado.pdf · Practica 2 Teclado y LCD.pdf
What you will learn- Initialize LCD in 4-bit mode
- Scan matrix keyboard by rows/columns
- Complete Practice 2 in Proteus and hardware
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12 Topic 8 — Timers
Timer0, Timer1, and Timer2: prescalers, precise delay, pulse counter, and Practice 3.
Reference material: Clase Tema 8. Timer.pdf · Practica 3 Frecuencimetro con Displays Multiplexado.pdf
What you will learn- Configure T0CON, T1CON, and PR2
- Calculate overflow for a given delay
- Complete Practice 3 frequency meter
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13 Topic 9 — PWM and CCP module
PWM mode with Timer2, duty cycle, CCP1 on RC2, practices 4 and 6.
Reference material: Clase Tema 9. Modulo CCP (PWM).pdf · Practica 6 Motor Paso a Paso.pdf
What you will learn- Calculate PR2 and CCPR1L for a given duty
- Configure CCP1CON in PWM mode
- Control stepper motor (Practice 6)
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14 Partial 3 Partial III preparation (Topics 6, 7, 8, and 9 PWM)
Review interrupts, LCD/keyboard, timers, PWM, and practices 2, 3, and 6. Partial III exam.
What you will learn- Solve timer and interrupt exercises
- Explain PWM with PR2 and CCPR1L
- Pass the interactive Partial III exam
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15 Topic 9 — A/D converter (ADC)
10-bit ADC module: ADCON0/1/2, analog channels, and Practice 7.
Reference material: Tema 9. CAD.pdf · Practica 7 Convertidor AD.pdf
What you will learn- Configure ADCON1 for analog channel
- Read potentiometer on AN0
- Complete Practice 7 in the lab
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16 Topic 10 — Serial communication
EUSART/UART, SPI/I2C, optional USB, and Practice 8 serial communication.
Reference material: Tema 10. Comunicación serial.pdf · Practica 8 Comunicacion serial_M3.pdf
What you will learn- Configure UART at 9600 baud @ 20 MHz
- Explain NRZ async frame
- Complete Practice 8 with MAX232
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17 Partial 4 Partial IV preparation (ADC, serial, and wrap-up)
Review ADC, UART, practices 7 and 8, integrator project, and Partial IV exam.
Reference material: Ejercicios II parcial 20252.pdf
What you will learn- Integrate ADC + UART in one project
- Design project combining 3+ modules
- Pass the interactive Partial IV exam
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18 Reference and general review
Glossary, register guide, and interactive exercises for use throughout the semester.
What you will learn- Look up key registers without memorizing the datasheet
- Review terms before any partial exam
Tutorial catalog
Section titled “Tutorial catalog”To find a specific lab without walking the full path, use the tutorial catalog. Everything is listed there; the path above shows when to do each item.
Shortcuts by goal
Section titled “Shortcuts by goal”Partial II (T4–T5)
After GPIO and Practice 1: Partial II prep.
Partial III (T6–T9 PWM)
After interrupts, LCD, timers, and PWM: Partial III and exercises.
Partial IV (ADC + serial)
After ADC and UART: Partial IV and final project.
Ecosystem
Who maintains the platform — zackness, StartupVen, and CALETAS.
Quick review
Glossary, register guide, and theory guide.
Golden rule
Section titled “Golden rule”Do not memorize full tables at first. The key exam skill is answering:
What do I want to control → which register configures it → which bit must I modify